Dee Ann Wilken

Dee Ann Wilken, age 83, passed away on January 9, 2026, at St. Theresa Hospital in Wichita, Kansas. She was born on January 26, 1942, the fifth child of D.F. Jaeger and Lena Green Jaeger. She grew up in Leoti and graduated from Wichita Co. High School in 1960. She always enjoyed keeping in touch with her classmates, who often played with her at the John Deere store after school. She furthered her studies at Wichita State University before turning her attention to homemaking and motherhood. She was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church. She married Alvin Wilken in 1961 and had twin sons, Jon and Don Wilken. Later in life, she worked at Mel’s Foodliner in Leoti, where she befriended the entire town.

Dee Dee will be remembered for her continual service to children, especially in her roles as Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible Study crafts leader, and after-school caretaker for her nieces and nephews (and eventually their children). She regularly brought local children to church on Sunday mornings, piling them into her Lincoln town car and slowly cruising to church to “Riding in the Car Singing Songs to Jesus” by Willie Murphy, the 8-track that was permanently stuck in the player.

She embodied the great unconditional love of Jesus and impressed upon her nieces and nephews the importance of forgiveness. She will be sorely missed, but her love will continue in the hearts of her family.

Dee Dee is survived by her twin sons, Jon and Don Wilken; brothers Bill and Timothy Jaeger; sisters Berta Shafer and Susan Wedel; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, D.F. Jaeger and Lena Green Jaeger, her brothers Jack, Charles (Chuck) Jaeger, Raymond Jaeger, and sister Joellyn Jaeger Bishop.

Graveside services will be held at the Leoti Cemetery on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Zach McNall presiding.

Public visitation for Dee Dee will be at the Price & Sons Funeral Home, 202 N. 4th St., Leoti, Kansas, on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 2:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. and on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 10:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M.

Memorials may be given to the “Dee Ann Wilken Memorial” in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home, PO Box 161, Leoti, Kansas 67861.